Album page with novel hinge assembly



July 22, 1969 I w, w, HOLES ET AL 3,456,303

ALBUM PAGE WITH NOVEL HINGE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 22, 1967 2 heets-Sheet l INVENTORS WALL/AM W #ous. EDWARD 4.1. I88! J ly 2,1969 w.w. HOLES ET AL 3,453,303

ALBUM PAGE WITH NOVEL HINGE ASSEMBLY Filed Dec. 22, 1967 2 Sheets-Shet 2 FIG 11 INVENTORS WILL/AM W #0453". .EDM/ED 4.41853 FIE 10 21 rroea/zs s United States Patent ALBUM PAGE WITH NOVEL HINGE ASSEMBLY William W. Holes and Edward L. Libby, St. Cloud, Minn.,

assignors to The Holes-Webway Co., St. Cloud, Minn.,

a corporation of Minnesota Filed Dec. 22, 1967, Ser. No. 692,933 Int. Cl. B42f /00 U.S. Cl. 24-2 8 Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE An album, including a plurality of similar generally rectangular album pages, each having a hinge mounting member, including a flexible tab applied to the inner longitudinal edge of the page substantially throughout the length of the latter. An elongate hinge element formed of wire, plastic or the like, secured to the inner longitudinal edge of the page by the hinge mounting member and having a large strap receiving recess or a plurality of small strap receiving recesses therein for receiving and confining a flexible strap to hingedly and detachably connect the pages together. The strap and strap receiving recess lying exteriorly of the associated page, thereby to define an external hinge means for the album.

This invention relates to an album page and more specifically to an album page having a unique hinge assembly used in binding the pages of an album together.

An object of this invention is to provide a novel album, including a plurality of similar pages, each having an elongate hinge element mounted upon the longitudinal edge thereof, which receive and confine a flexible mounting strap for hingedly and detachably connecting the pages together and defining an exterior hinge to facilitate tuming of the album pages and insertion of additional pages.

A more specific object of this invention is to provide an album comprised of a plurality of similar album pages hingedly connected together by novel and unique external hinge means, which includes an elongate hinge element secured to the inner edge portion of an album page by a hinge mounting member, and defining a strap receiving and confining recess therein positioned exteriorly of the page for receiving and releasably retaining an elongate flexible strap therethrough, each hinge element lying generally within the plane of the page thereby facilitating turning of the pages and allowing each turned page to lie substantially flat.

These and other objects and advantages of this invention will more fully appear from the following description made in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein like reference characters refer to the same or similar parts throughout the several views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of an album page illustrating one embodiment of the novel hinge means, with certain parts thereof illustrated in an alternate position by dotted line configuration;

FIG. 1a thereof is a fragmentary perspective view of a plurality of pages of an album utilizing the hinge shown in FIG. 1 and illustrating the manner in which a hinge strap cooperates with the hinge elements;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of a different embodiment of the hinge means with certain parts thereof illustrated in an alternate position by dotted line configuration;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the hinge means with certain parts thereof illustrated in an alternate position by dotted line configuration;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the hinge means with certain ice parts thereof illustrated in an alternate position by dotted line configuration;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of another embodiment of a novel hinge means;

FIG. 6 is an exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary perspective view of a further embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary exploded perspective View of still another embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 10 is a fragmentary perspective view of still a different embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 11 is a fragmentary perspective View of another embodiment of the novel hinge means;

FIG. 12 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of another embodiment of the novel hinge means; and

FIG. 13 is a fragmentary exploded perspective view of still another embodiment of the novel hinge means.

Referring now to the drawings and more specifically to FIG. 1, it will be seen that one embodiment of a novel page utilizing the novel hinge structure is there shown. The album page, designated generally by the reference numeral 10, is of rectangular configuration and is formed of a somewhat rigid paper material, and includes inner and outer longitudinal edges, the inner longitudinal edge designated by the reference numeral 11. A plurality of pages are hingedly bound together, along with suitable front and rear covers, by external hinge means, which permit ready inclusion of additional pages and also permits the pages to lie flat when the album is open. This external hinge means for each page includes an elongate hinge mounting member 12, which is applied to the inner longitudinal marginal portion of the page to overlie the longitudinal edge 11 thereof. This hinge mounting member 12 may be formed of a suitable flexible material, such as paper, cloth, acetate or the like. In the event that paper or cloth is used, one surface will be gummed in a well-known manner and when acetate is used to form a mounting member, one surface thereof will have an adhesive coating thereon so the mounting member may be readily applied to the page to overlie the inner longitudinal edge thereof.

Each hinge mounting member 12 serves to mount an elongate hinge element 13 to a page, so that the hinge element lies generally within the plane ofthe page. In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 1a, each hinge element is of elongate configuration and is formed of a suitable bendable metallic material, which has opposite ends thereof bent upon itself as at 14. These bent end portions 14 of each hinge element, are then bent outwardly to form a small outwardly projecting leg and are thereafter bent again to terminate in bight portions 15 and define strap receiving recesses 16. It will be noted, that the leg and bight portion of each hinge element, as well as the strap confining recess defined thereby lie exteriorly of the edge of the page but are disposed generally within the plane of the page.

The hinge means also includes a pair of elongate generally flat hinge straps 18, each extending through registering strap confining recesses 16 on adjacent pages. Although not shown in the drawing, opposite ends of each strap will also be secured directly to front and rear covers of the album or to suitable cover holders. This particular arrangement permits the pages to lie flat when the album is opened, facilitates turning of the pages and also allows removal and replacement of pages without complete disassembly of the album. Although in the preferred form, the bight portions 15 are bent so they extend away from each other, these bight portions may also be bent so they extend towards each other as indicated by dotted line configuration in FIG. 1. Each bight portion in its alternate form, will serve to retain a hinge strap or other elongate flexible member to permit flexible hinging of a plurality of album pages together. The legs of the bight portions project through opening 17 in the hinge mounting member, and it is pointed out that during application of the hinge means, the bight portions may be bent after the bight portions have penetrated the hinge mounting member.

Referring now to FIG. 2, it will be seen that a slightly different embodiment of the hinge means is shown for attachment to the inner longitudinal edge portion of the album page It This hinge means also includes an elongate hinge mounting member 12a, which is substantially identical in construction to the mounting member 12 and corresponds in length to the album page. The mounting member is applied to the longitudinal edge portion of the album page to overlie the inner longitudinal edge 11 to mount an elongate hinge element 13:: thereat. Although only one end portion of the hinge element 13a is shown, it is pointed out that the opposite end thereof is of identical construction. The hinge element 13:: is substantially straight, but has opposite end portions 14a helically wound upon itself and then bent outwardly to form a leg which terminates in a bight portion 15a. The bight portion 15a at each end of the hinge element 13a defines a strap confining recess 16a. The bight portions 15a of the hinge element 13a extend away from each other, but may be bent to extend towards each other, as indicated by dotted line configuration. Each strap confining recess 16a is adapted to receive a strap 18 therethrough, thus permitting a plurality of album pages to be hingedly but releasably secured together. The leg and bight portion of each hinge element projects through an opening 17a in the associated mounting member 12a.

Referring now to FIG. 3, it will be seen that a further embodiment of the hinge means is shown, which includes a mounting member 12b identical in construction to the mounting member 12. This mounting member 1211 mounts an elongate substantially straight hinge element 13b preferably formed of a suitable metallic material, which is bent upon itself so that opposite ends of the hinge element are disposed in close proximity to each other. The lapped end portions 14b at each end of the hinge element 13b is bent outwardly to define the leg which terminates in a bight portion 15b disposed substantially parallel to the hinge element. The bight portion 1512 together with its associated leg defines a strap confining recess 16b for receiving a flexible strap 18 therethrough. Again, it is pointed out that while the bight portions at opposite ends of each hinge element 13b extend away from each other, these bight portions may be bent to extend towards each other as an alternate form. The leg and bight portions 1517 at each end of the hinge member 13b project through openings 17b in the mounting member 12b.

Referring now to FIG. 4, it will be seen that another embodiment of the hinge means is shown and includes a hinge mounting member 120, which is identical in construction to the previously described hinge mounting elements and which is applied to the inner longitudinal edge portions of an album page It to mount an elongate hinge element 1130 upon the inner longitudinal edge 11 of the album page. The hinge element 130, which is formed of a suitable metallic material, has a second elongate metallic element 14c secured thereto throughout a major portion of the length thereof. Opposite end portions of the second element 14c are bent at right angles to the hinge element 130 and are thereafter bent again to define the bight portion 15c disposed substantially parallel to the longitudinal axis of the hinge element 13c. The bight portion 15c at each end of the hinge element 13c, defines a strap confining recess 160. The bight portions at opposite ends of the hinge element 130 project through suitable openings 17c and the hinge mounting member 12c. As an alternate form of the hinge element 13c, the bight portions 150 may be bent away from each other as indicated by dotted line configuration rather than towards each other, as illustrated by full line configuration in FIG. 4.

Referring now to FIG. 5, it will be seen that a further embodiment of the hinge means is shown and includes a hinge mounting member 12d substantially identical in construction to the previously described hinge mounting members for mounting a hinge element 13d upon the longitudinal edge 11 of an album page 10. The hinge element 13d, which is of elongate construction and formed of a suitable metallic material, has the second element 14d secured thereto throughout the length thereof by any suitable securing means, such as solder or the like. Opposite end portions of the second element 14d are bent outwardly to form legs that are thereafter bent at right angles to the legs to form bight portions 15d. The bight portions 15d have their ends bent towards the hinge element 13d and thereafter terminate in terminal portions 19d, which are spaced from the hinge element 13:! and substantially parallel thereto and to the bight portions 15d so as to define strap confining recesses 16:]. The outwardly projecting legs of the hinge element project through opening 17d in the hinge mounting member 12d.

Referring to FIG. 6, it will be seen that the embodiment of the hinge means there shown includes the hinge mounting member 12e having openings 17a therein through which the hinge element 13a projects, The hinge element 132 is also formed of elongate rigid material, such as a suitable metallic wire or the like, and is bent upon itself as at 14c and bent outwardly to form a pair of legs which are integral With an elongate bight portion 152. It will be noted, that the bight portion 15e extends over a major portion of the longitudinal dimension of the hinge element. The bight portion of the hinge element defines with the remaining portion of the hinge element and elongate strap confining recess 16c, which is adapted to confine a pair of hinge straps 18 for the purpose of hingedly but releasably combining a plurality of pages together. It will be noted, that the ends of the hinge element 13:: are disposed in close proximal relation, as at 20c and the legs of the bight portion project through opening 172 in the hinge mounting member 12e.

Referring now to FIG. 7, it will be seen that the hinge mounting member 12 is provided, and is identical in construction to the hinge mounting members previously described. The hinge mounting member is provided with I a pair of elongate slots 17 in the fold line thereof, al-

though only one such slot is shown. The hinge mounting member 12) serves to mount an elongate substantially straight flat hinge element 13 upon the inner longitudinal edge of the album page 10. This hinge member has a pair of U-shaped elements integrally formed therewith adjacent opposite end portions thereof and projecting outwardly therefrom, each including a bight portion 15f. The U-shaped members, including the bight portion, define strap confining recesses 16f for receiving binding straps 18 therethrough. The U-shaped members project outwardly through the openings 17 in the hinge mounting 12].

In FIG. 8, the hinge means includes an elongate hinge mounting element 12g, which is formed of flexible material, in the manner of the prevoiusly described hinge mounting members, and which is folded and appled to the inner longitudinal edge portion of the album page. This hinge mounting member has an elongate opening 17g extending throughout a major portion of the length thereof and terminating adjacent the end portions of the mounting member. The hinge mounting member serves to mount an elongate substantially flat hinge element 13g upon the inner longitudinal edge 11 of the album page 10. The hinge element 13g has two of its corners recessed and openings are formed in the hinge element, as at 16g, to define strap confining bight portions 15g. The recesses 16g serve to confine a pair of hinge straps for securing a plurality of album pages together. The relieved portion of the hinge element 13g projects through the elongate opening 17g in the hinge mounting member.

Referring now to FIG. 12, the hinge means shown therein includes an elongate hinge mounting member 12k identical in construction to the previously described hinge mounting members, which is folded and applied to the inner longitudinal edge portion of the album page 10. This hinge mounting member 12k has a pair of openings 17k formed therein adjacent opposite ends thereof, and this mounting member serves to mount an elongate hinge element 13k upon the longitudinal edge 11 of the album page 10. The hinge element 13k is formed of a suitable metallic wire that has U-shaped strap confining elements integrally formed adjacent opposite ends thereof. Each of these U-shaped strap confining elements includes a bight portion 15k, which defines a strap confining recess 16k. These strap confining recesses 16k serve to receive and confine plastic hinge straps 18 therein. The U-shaped strap confining elements project through the openings 17k in the hinge mounting member.

Referring now to FIG. 9, it will be seen that the hinge means is of single unitary preformed construction including a hinge mounting member 12h, which is of channel shaped construction and is positioned upon the inner longitudinal edge portion of an album page. An elongate hinge element 13h is integrally formed with the hinge mounting member and has a pair of hinge confining or receiving recesses 16h therein. The hinge element 13h also 'has an elongate bead 15h formed throughout the outer longitudinal edge thereof. The entire hinge means is molded from a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene or the like. A suitable adhesive material compatible with the plastic of which the hinge and hinge mounting member of FIG. 9 is formed, will be applied to the inner surface of the hinge mounting member 12h to permit ready attachment of the hinge mounting member to the inner longitudinal edge of an album page. The recesses 16h receive the hinge straps therethrough.

Referring now to FIG. 10, it will be seen that the hinge means disclosed therein is of single unitary construction and is similar to the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 9. The hinge means includes a hinge mounting member 121', which is of elongate preformed construction and is applied to the inner longitudinal edge portion of an album page. The inner concave surface of the hinge mounting member 121' will have a suitable compatible adhesive or glue applied thereto, to permit attachment of the mounting member to the album page. An elongated hinge element 131' is integrally formed with the hinge mounting member and this hinge element terminates in an elongate bead 151', which corresponds in length to the hinge mounting member 121'. Opposite ends of the hinge member 131 are relieved or recessed to form recesses 161' therein for receiving the hinge straps therethrough.

Referring now to FIG. 11, it will be seen that a further embodiment of the hinge means is thereshown, and this hinge means is also of single unitary construction and is formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene, in the manner of the hinge means of FIGS. 9 and 10. This hinge means includes an elongate hinge mouting member 12j, which is of preformed construction and which is positioned upon and secured to the inner longitudinal edge portion of an album page. Again, it is pointed out that the inner longitudinal surface of the hinge mounting member 12 is provided with a suitable adhesive or cement to permit attachment thereof to the album page. An elongate hinge element 13j is integrally formed with the hinge mounting member and projects outwardly therefrom. An elongate head 15 is integrally formed with the outer edge of the hinge element 13 throughout the length of the latter. This bead 15 corresponds in length to the length of the hinge mounting member 12 The major central portion of the hinge element 13j is relieved or recessed to define an elongate strap confiing recess 16 to receive the straps 18 therethrough. It is pointed out that the hinge mounting members of the embodiments of FIGS. 9, 10 and 11 may be applied to the album page by a heat sealing operation. It is also pointed out that the hinge mounting members of FIGS. 9, l0 and 11 could be molded or extruded with sufiicient spring tension so as to engage the page with sufiicient friction to be retained therein. It will be appreciated that in the event that the heat sealing securing means is employed, the album page will have suitable apertures therein along the inner longitudinal edge portion thereof to permit intimate contacting and heat welding of opposed portions of the hinge mounting member.

Referring now to FIG. 13, it will be seen that the hinge means shown therein is also of single unitary construction and includes a hinge mounting member 12l, which is applied to the inner longitudinal edge portion of album page 10. The hinge mounting member 12l will be provided with a suitable adhesive to permit attachment thereof to the pages in the manner of FIGS. l-8. The hinge mounting member 12l has a pair of generally U-shaped hinge elements integrally formed therewith and projecting outwardly therefrom. Each of these hinge elements includes a leg portion, which terminates outwardly in a bight portion 151, to define a strap receiving recess 16!. The bight portion has a central opening 21l therethrough, which communicates with the strap confining recess 16L The entire hinge means may be formed of a suitable plastic material, such as polyethylene or the like. The strap confining recesses 16l are adapted to receive the straps 18 therethrough to bind a plurality of pages together.

It will be noted, that in all of the various embodiments of the hinge means, the hinge mounting member is applied to the inner longitudinal edge portion of an album page so that the strap confining recess defined by the hinge elements will be positioned laterally exteriorly of the page This arrangement provides an exterior hinge. It will also be noted that the hinge mounting member and hinge element are of elongate construction, whether these components be of single piece construction or formed of several parts. This particular hinge means not only provides a unique hinge for albums, such as photograph albums, scrapbooks and the like, but this hinge means can be readily applied to an album page either manually or with suitable apparatus. It has been found that albums which incorporate this novel hinge means will have pages which may be readily turned and which will lie flat when the album is in an opened condition. Further, with the particular arrangement shown herein, pages may be readily removed and inserted in the album with a minimum of eifort and time.

Thus, it will be seen from the foregoing description that we have provided a novel external hinge means, which is not only of simple and unique construction, but one which functions in a more eflicient manner than any heretofore known comparable device.

What is claimed is:

1. An album comprising a plurality of similar, generally rectangular flat pages each having inner and outer longitudinal edges,

each page having an elongate hinge mounting member folded over and secured to the inner longitudinal edge portion thereof, each mounting member having .a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the associated page, and having a width dimension substantially smaller than the Width dimension of its associated page,

each hinge mounting member having an elongate hinge element secured thereto .and projecting outwardly therefrom, means on the outer portion of each hinge element defining a bight portion disposed substantially parallel to the inner longitudinal edge portion of the page, each hinge element having an opening defined therein between said bight portion and said hinge mounting member to define a strap confining recess exteriorly of the 1ongitudinal edge of the page,

and an elongate flexible hinge strap extending through said strap confining recess to hingedly and detachably connect a plurality of pages together.

2. An album comprising a plurality of similar, generally rectangular fiat pages each having transverse edges, and inner and outer longitudinal edges,

a plurality of similar hinge mounting members each folded over .and secured to the inner longitudinal edge portion of one of said pages, and each having a longitudinal dimension corresponding to the longitudinal dimension of the associated page,

a plurality of similar hinge elements, each being engaged and mounted on one of the album pages at the inner longitudinal edge thereof by one of said hinge mounting members, each hinge element having portions thereof extending first outwardly at substantially right angles to the general longitudinal axis thereof, each of said outwardly extending portions of each hinge element then extending at right angular relation to form bight portions disposed substantially parallel to the general longitudinal axis of the hinge element, and defining a strap confining recess between each of said bight portions and said hinge mounting member, the recesses of said hinge elements on said pages being disposed in registering relation with each other,

a plurality of elongate flexible hinge straps each extending through recesses of said hinge elements to hingedly and detachably connect the pages together.

3. The album as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said hinge elements is formed of a suitable metallic material and is interposed between the inner longitudinal edge of the associated album page and the associated hinge mounting member, the outwardly extending portions of each hinge member extending through openings in the associated hinge member.

4. The album as defined in claim 3 wherein each of said hinge elements has a pair of bight portions formed thereon adjacent opposite ends thereof.

5. The album as defined in claim 2 wherein each bight portion on each hinge element has a pair of outwardly extending portions integrally formed at opposite ends thereof which extend outwardly from the general longitudinal axis of the hinge element.

6. The album as defined in claim 2 wherein each hinge element is integrally formed with the associated hinge mounting member and projects outwardly therefrom.

7. The album as defined in claim 6 wherein each of said integrally formed hinge mounting members and hinge elements are formed of a suitable plastic material.

8. The album as defined in claim 2 wherein each of said hinge elements is formed of a suitable metallic wire which has opposite end portions thereof bent upon itself, said bent end portions then being bent to extend outwardly from the general longitudinal axis of the hinge element, and thereafter being bent to define said bight portions that are spaced from and substantially parallel to the general longitudinal axis of the hinge element References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,878,177 9/1932 Pedersen 2467.1 2,639,526 5/ 1953 Bepristis 40-1 02 2,883,989 4/1959 Ulrich 129-20 XR FOREIGN PATENTS 450,161 1/1913 France. 796,261 1/1936 France. 1,135,293 8/1962 Germany. 6,406,355 12/ 1965 Netherlands.

DONALD A. GRIFFIN, Primary Examiner US. Cl. X.R. 

